Travel For Travel's Sake

Category: Europe

“It’s 9:20 already,” I hear someone say. “They should’ve let us off 20 minutes ago.” I, along with a few other eager American passengers, are standing at the gangway exit of the Independence of the Seas. A ramp leading down to the concrete dock has been connected to a large opening on the ship’s starboard side. Past the ship’s massive shadow, I can see the charming, … Continue reading I Stood On This Cliff, And So Can You

The Independence of the Seas had left Cobh, Ireland the evening before, and had been sailing North through the Irish Sea ever since. It was before dinner, around 7:15, when we stepped out on deck to observe the scenery. The ship was cutting through the still ocean water, surrounded by a landscape out of 10,000 B.C. Stark islands rose from the sea on all sides, … Continue reading I’m Pretty Sure These Were The Hebrides

I’ve visited London for a total of two days, three years apart from each other. On both days I had just gotten off a cruise. On both days I was staying at a hotel connected to Gatwick Airport. On both days I took a 40 minute train ride into the city on the same line. On both days the weather was, well, characteristically London. This post … Continue reading When Alex Met London

Ah, food. A facet of human existence, the fuel that keeps us going, the substance of pure creation. Yeah, I might be a little more enthusiastic about it than most people. I believe that the easiest way to connect with a place’s culture is to sample its food. And that’s exactly what I did on a trip to Northern Europe last summer. My mom and I found … Continue reading Chocolate and French Fries

Having banged my head against the wall over two hundred and seventeen times due to a song from Disney’s “Frozen” being stuck in my head, I felt it was only fitting for me to get it out of my system in some way. Of course I’m sure you’re aware of this 2013 movie, an absolute hit (and I’ll bet that more grown-ups contributed to its success than … Continue reading Norway: “Frozen,” Before it Was ‘Cool’